Cum itaque noctis plerumque processisset, aeneatorum accentu, signo dato progrediendi ad pugnam, ad arma concursum est: et consulto murorum invaduntur utrimque frontes, ut dum propulsaturi pericula, defensores ultro citroque discurrunt, nec proxima fodientis audiretur ferri tinnitus, nec quoquam intrinsecus obsistente, cuniculariorum subito manus emergat.
Translation :
Therefore, although the night was far advanced, the trumpets sounded, and at the given signal for entering battle they rushed to arms. And, as had been planned, the fronts of the wall were attacked on two sides in order that while the defenders were rushing here and there to avert the danger, the clink of the iron tools digging at the parts close by might not be heard, and that with no hindrance from within, the band of sappers might suddenly make its appearance.
Edition :
Ammianus Marcellinus. With An English Translation. John C. Rolfe, Ph.D., Litt.D. Cambridge. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1935-1940.
Remark :
long-term consequence: The tunnels were successfully constructed and used to surprise the defenders, described in: "Soldiers of Julian break into Maiozamalcha through tunnels and kill many distracted defenders."
